Chitwan, Aug. 16 -- For decades, elephant safaris were a signature attraction in Chitwan National Park, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. But today, the appeal of riding elephants is fading, prompting tourism operators in Sauraha to search for alternatives such as the "elephant bush walk."

Once, as many as 90 elephants would line up daily for safaris in Sauraha alone. Now, the number has halved, with only around 45 still involved in the business. According to elephant owners, the decline began after the Covid-19 pandemic, when many found it difficult to maintain the high costs of feeding and caring for elephants. The expenses can reach Rs150,000 per month per animal, according to Dipendra Khatiwada, chairman of United E...